[52] A number of people were hanged, shot and buried with the late chief according to the custom. LEFT Ezillo man drawing a grid pattern to be filled with nsibidi designs, Ezillo, southeastern Nigeria. The Osirica is a black Egyptian masonic order that existed in ancient Egypt. The Ekpo society uses black masks, often of naturalistic appearance and with movable jaws, to maintain social order and propitiate the ancestors; some of these masks represent disease and deformity. The Oroko (also Bareka/Batekka) are an ethnic group in Cameroon.They belong to the coastal Bantu group, widely known as Sawa, and primarily occupy the Ndian and Meme divisions of the Southwest Region of Cameroon.The people predominantly speak Oroko, English, and Cameroon Pidgin English.The Oroko are related to several ethnic groups (or tribes) in Cameroon's coastal areas, with whom they share . Worn as personal wrappers during initiations and at social events, ukara cloth distinguishes Ekpe members. [6] The most popular historical accounts of Efik migration attest a movement from Ibom in Arochukwu to Uruan and from Uruan to numerous settlements along the lower Cross river. You are using an out of date browser. The papers include photographs, audio and video recordings, publications, correspondence and printed material primarily relating to Miller's study of the linguistic, musical and ritual influence of West African kp society (predominantly in Nigeria and Cameroon) on . For the surname, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Art and Life in Africa: Eket Information" University of Iowa, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ekpe&oldid=1101939539, This page was last edited on 2 August 2022, at 15:27. I hope Queen Victoria and young prince will live long time and we get good friend. The instruments above are particularly important to our study of the Sunjata because: they are the traditional instruments of the jeliw who tell the story in public performance. Law and order in Efik society was maintained via a number of secret societies. In modern-day Efik society, nyny is worn on various occasions such as weddings and traditional events. It is also found among a number of other ethnic groups, including the Bahumono of the Cross River State, the Ibibio, the Uruan and the Oron of Akwa Ibom State, Arochukwu and some other parts of Abia State, as well as in the diaspora, such as in Cuba and Brazil. Among these included Yams, Fufu and an unidentified type of black soup frequently mentioned in 19th century Old Calabar literature. At least in the past, very large sums were paid to attain these upper levels. Osirica brotherhood is the root of all the mason societies, dating back around 2300 B.C. The Leopard Society was allegedly a cannibalistic society in the early-to-mid 2oth century in Sierra Leone, Libera and Cte dIvoire. Ekpe masquerade [1], Its members are only men and are played on special occasion. Another theory which is narrated by Forde and Jones states that the name "Efik" translates to "Tyrants" or "He who oppresses" and was the name of which the Efik called themselves after they had settled at Creek town.[12]. Due to the role they played during the era of the triangular trade, their prominence in literature and art, there has been a lot of academic scholarship on the people. The Ekpe Society. two young foreign men to whom she gives the power to defeat her. What is a Free Agent "A free agent is one who isn't privileged with even one pure Leopard spiritline from the survivors of the Great Attempt. Origin Nsibidi symbols which are indigenous to Igbo, Ibibio, Efik, Annang and Ekoi/Ejagham members of the Ekpe society. Instead, each settlement had its own lodge of the initiation society called kp, or "leopard," which was the highest indigenous authority. At its peak, it permeated the social, economic and political life of the Efiks but lately its dominance has been eroded as urbanization and modern political administration expanded. All willing to engage respectfully are welcome. With the inception of the transatlantic slave trade, a number of foreign clothes were introduced into Efik society. It was worth every penny and made me feel like a kid again. For the first time in history, Ekpe had a presentation at the highest institution of cultural anthropology in the world, the Smithsonian Museum. Abakua is an Afro-Cuban mens secret society related to the Ekpe. [69] The society is divided into five main grades such as Nkanda, Oku akama, Nyamkpe, Okpoho and Ebonko. Membership in the Ekpe (Egbo), or Leopard, society, for example, available to wealthy men who can meet the expense involved, confers high social status and political authority; these men participate in ceremonies concerned with ancestral spirits and are believed to protect the community through magic and religious ritual. Membership in the Ekpe (Egbo), or Leopard, society, for example, available to wealthy men who can meet the expense involved, confers high social status and political authority; these men participate in ceremonies concerned with ancestral spirits and are believed to protect the community through magic and religious ritual. It proved to be the source of supreme authority in all Efik towns, and its institutions provided, in the past, the highest court whose verdicts transcended all else. ugly and deformed, but predicted to be the mother of a great king. Objects and images in the exhibition courtesy of Dr. Eli Bentor. Another account from the Qua claimed that Ekpe (Mgbe) migrated from Cameroon. Mr. . Unblock notifications in browser settings. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. In the culture we have discussed, the term fadenya refers to: the relationship between father and child, and half siblings - requiring self-assertion, independence, innovation, and competition. Our newsletter gives you access to a curated selection of the most important stories daily. Aye dates the arrival of the Efik in Creek Town to the fourteenth century. [61] These papers were signed by the reigning monarchs of Creek town and Duke town who were Eyo Honesty II and Eyamba V.[61] King Eyamba and King Eyo had written letters to the British requesting that they bring in teachers to teach them trade and commerce and missionaries to aid them to know more about God. The indigenous drums of the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon are distinctive for their "wedge and ring" method of tightening the skin. According to E.U. The Sunjata Epic is usually understood to tell the story of: the rise and fall of the seven Nubian (Kushite) kings. [51] The Enwang people who were fishing at Duke town saw the twins approaching and fled in terror saying "Mbiomo oduk ine"(English: A curse has befalling our fishing sites). The history of the Efik is one of the most documented in subsaharan Africa. Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations "Hakuna Matata" (No More Worries) - Integrating Indigenous Systems of Conflict Resolution into the Formal System of Government Administration in Cameroon: Case Study of the Ekpe Society of Manyu Division Stephen O. Agbor, Nova Southeastern University Follow Date of Award 2017 Several types of English dresses were introduced to Efik women such as the Victorian dresses known in Efik as nyny. Cameroon-Nigeria Relations, 1884-1961: A Study in Political, Economic and Social Interactions Between Two Nigerian Neighbouring States. Laws were passed to halt several practices regarded as unchristian. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Efik strategy for filling the international demand for slaves was via obtaining slaves from inland slave traders such as Eniong, Ndokki and Arochukwu. They use a variety of masks to execute social control. Aye in 2000 does not mention the Efut as being the primary occupants. Their king on the eastern Calabar coast was known as Ating Anua Efiom. [37] When many of the Efik had left for Ndodoghi, a series of unfortunate events occurred. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state. The group has managed to stay mostly hidden for over more than 100 years. These they handcuffed, brought down to the canoes, and so proceeded up the river, till they got to the amount of 45, with whom they returned to New town, where sending to the captains of the shipping, they divided them among the ships.[56]. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [73] The Efik native cow (English: Ena Efk) was regarded with some amount of reverence and was mainly killed on rare occasions such as the festival for the installation of a new priest king. Hugh, Goldie. [38] It is believed that it was at Ndodoghi that many of the Abayen clan had died from crocodile attacks. [14], The name "Efik" translates to "Oppressors" and is derived from the Efik-Ibibio verb root "Fik" (English: Oppress). [37] A captured invader confessed that they were set to retrieve royal emblems which they believed the Efik had taken with them when they left Uruan. Infact; there can be no-gainsay of the USAK-EDET People (ISANGELE) being the originators of this highly acclaimed Ekpe Society that the EFIKS, led by EFFA EFFIWAT later on used in subduing their subjects of EFUTS, (i.e. The Ogboni is a fraternity indigenous to Nigeria, Benin and Togo. The term "Calabar people" was particularly popular prior to the nineteenth century and was synonymous to the Efik.[6]. Ema Atai Ema Atai, Edidem, Biop sai." Charles Ekpo Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Nigeria The Cross River region is a vast socio-cultural mosaic which accommodates peoples of distinct ethnic, religious, social, economic and. Archaeological evidence found that the group was extremely advanced in education for its time, and headed the construction of the Valley of the Kings. [26] At Uruan, they were ruled by a number of priest-kings Ndidem. It was technically part of Nigeria, according to history, which was the reason we had the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). In part because of their appropriation, exclusive use, and understanding of nsibidi, Ekpe members in the pre-colonial past were thought to have access to the spiritual realm and were, therefore, empowered to make and enforce societal rules and norms. Plenty sugar cane live here and if some man must come for teach book proper, and make all men saby God like white man, and then we go on for same fashion. [33][34] Abasi is said to have borrowed an axe from an Uruan woman and had broken the axe. These missionaries together with King Eyo Honesty II brought several changes to Old Calabar society. The area from which the Sunjata Epic comes was historically: the geographical location of the great medieval African kingdoms - Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. "[29] Essien's criticism is supported by the fact that in some Efik trado-religious songs, Atakpor Uruan is greatly extolled. The Ekpe society may be regarded as one of the most important institutions among the Efik people. nineteenth centuries, no large kingdoms controlled Nigeria and Cameroon's multilingual Cross River basin. Members of the Ekpe society are said to act as messengers of the ancestors (ikan). Copyright Dr. Ivor L. Miller. Ekpe could take life and could give it; it could condemn a whole town to a heavy fine and was promptly paid; it could punish offenders and could forgive; even kings and Obongs could never escape Ekpe laws and edicts.[69]. Dropping by to say, "Hi!" On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Here's a look inside. According to Historians, this technique of indigo-dyeing was developed in the Dogon kingdom in Mali (West Africa) dating back to the 11th century. I'm a queer mom and my daughter has decided to attend an anti-gay Bible college. The society is not a 'secret society or a cult,'3 what is secret is the representations of its emblem in material symbol - the ekpe stone and the nsibidi (sign language). The nsibidi may convey meaning either singularly or in groups, and each sign may be figurative, geometric, or abstract, or may represent a physical object, concept, or narrative. . Have you ever thought about starting a secret society? Corrections? The Efik people occupy the basins of the Lower Cross River, down to southwestern Cameroon including Bakassi, the Calabar River and down to its streams - the Kwa River, Akpayafe (Akpa Ikang) and the Eniong Creek. clothing stores in columbia mall [15] This theory appears to be isolated as other Ibibio writers do not narrate that such terms were used by the Ibibio. Several periods have been estimated by foreign scholars and indigenous historians. [49] Several events at Creek town later led to a wave of migration from Creek town to Duke town. One of the most important castes in this society is the jeli caste. [10] The original seven clans are scattered between Cross River state and Akwa Ibom state and consist of Iboku (Duke town, Henshaw town, Creek town and Cobham town), Obutong, Adiabo, Mbiabo (Mbiabo Edere, Mbiabo Ikot Offiong, Mbiabo Ikoneto), Enwang, Usukakpa and Abayen. In the case of the latter, in the heat of the confusion, villagers would be kidnapped and sent to Calabar were they were sold. [34] When the Uruan woman realised that Abasi had broken her axe, she insisted that the axe should be repaired. Due to the number of unfortunate incidents at Ikpa Ene and Ndodoghi, the Efik sought to leave these islands. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This village was originally named Ta Set Maat. The presentation, by Ekpe members from Cameroon, Nigeria and Cuba was arranged by Chief Dr. Ivor Miller and coordinated by Sessekous Ojong-Orock, Joseph Mbu and Mbe Tazi. Among these laws were the Abolition of twin-killings, abolition of the esere bean ordeal, abolition of human sacrifices and several other practices. Ikpaya is now worn by an Obong-elect during the traditional coronation ceremony. 16, 2014 3 likes 6,498 views Download Now Download to read offline Education Spiritual Technology A short description of the ancient Ekpe Masquerade and its cultural and spiritual significance, in the life of the people of the Cross River basin. The remains will then be taken to Kepelle Village in Cameroon for burial after that. Jeffreys states that a disruption among the Okobo around the town of Ekeya in the Eket district led to the founding of Obutong. Here are 8 prominent cults and secret societies in Africa. Nigeria and Cameroon (Lebialem and Manyu), Ekpe Society Resolutions from meeting held on September 16th 2011 in DC, Auto-Biography of Sisiku Emmanuel Ojong-Orock, Leader of Cameroonian Ekpe Lodge in Metropolitan DC. The design is left to the discretion of the Ezillo creators, who are not Ekpe members and do not know the meanings of nsibidi. The kp ("leopard") society represents an ancient African institution that provided the supreme functions of governance in the communal societies of the forest regions of the Cross-River basin and the hilly terrain to the east, in what is called today southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon. It is uncertain when Obutong was founded but most Efik scholars hypothesize that it was founded in the 16th century. The Ekpe-men are ranked in seven or nine grades, for promotion to each of which fresh initiation ceremonies, fees and oaths are necessary.[1]. In the culture we have discussed, the term nyama refers to: the power which exists in all things, which can be controlled only by special persons. The traditional attire for men usually consists of a white long-sleeved shirt, a long broad soft neckerchief or scarf of costly material (Efik: kpmkpm) and a wrapper tied around the waist (Efik: Usobo).[83]. One account narrates that the Mbiabo group left first to their present location while the Iboku, Enwang and other clans were still at Ndodoghi. Black Spirituality / Religion - General Discussion, http://odinanilawsofnature.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/finding-god-in-nature/, http://tourismafricana.com/origin-history-ekpe-soceity.html. Gelede Egbe: Yoruba Women's Sacred Society. On behalf of Ekpe-USA Leadership, I hereby remind every member of Ngbe who has taken the aoth that our fathers and great grand fathers took to uphold those sacred traditions and beliefs, to immediately start preparations to do what they must do to send our brother to join our ancestors. Prior to the inception of the transatlantic slave trade, the Efik had experienced a series of migration before their arrival along the coasts of Old Calabar. I was very poorno job and I has no money to even feed and take care of myfamily I was confuse in life I dont know what to do I try allmy possible best to get money but no one work out for meeach day I share tears, I was just looking out my family nomoney to take care of them until one day I decided to jointhe great Illuminati , I come across them in the internet Inever believe I said let me try I email them.all what theysaid we happen in my life just started it was like a dream tome they really change my story totally . [19], The Ibibio origin of the Efik is one of the most popular among scholars. The ethnic group to which most of the characters belong is the __________________people. Hood Quarterly, spring 2015 This exhibition examines the ukara cloth of the Ekpe secret society, a multi-ethnic all-male association in southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon, exploring both the longstanding cultural practice the cloth represents and the artistic process involved in its creation. In the culture we have discussed, the term badenya refers to: the relationship between the mother and child, and full siblings - implying closeness, trust, cooperation, unselfishness, and acceptance of rules. Ed Keazor Follow Barrister-at-Law Advertisement Advertisement Recommended We are about loving, encouraging, embracing, teaching, and building with black people. Omissions? ukara: Ritual Cloth of the Ekpe Society features the ukara cloth, a composite signifier of authority, prestige, sacrality, difference, and social mobility in the Ekpe secret society in the Cross river basin encompassing southeastern Nigeria and parts of Cameroon. This created a need for Ekpe DC to have a full Ayamba Nkanda (Nkanda Chief). [19] Oku attests that it was the attack on the Efik that made them decide to leave Ikpa Ene as they realised they were still too close to their enemies. This theory asserts that the Efik migrated from Palestine or somewhere close to Palestine. One of such accounts was given at a court case by Prince Bassey Duke in 1917 where he stated, "The Efiks were originally Ibo descendants. LEFT Omabe Eze sewing an ukara, Ezillo, southeastern Nigeria. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Cameroon's multilingual Cross River basin. [65] Although the missionaries and rulers of Creek town and Duke town protested, their protests fell on deaf ears. The Ekoi in Cameroon are found in the South Western region of the count. [52] The Captains wrote the acting consul who was stationed at Fernando Po. Aye provides the following names among these priest-kings including Ema Atai Iboku, Ekpe Atai Iboku, Ukpong Atai Iboku. [67] As of 1877, Alexander Ross reported that thirteen towns in the Cameroon region speak Efik and had an aggregate population of about 22,000. [76] Palm wine is acquired by making an incision on the palm tree, a process known as "tapping". That it was through the Qua [an Ejagham or Ekoi stock], that the secret of Ekpe cult diffused to Calabar. The Neegee is a cannibalistic group that feeds on human flesh to satisfy their God, and to gain power from that God. In this light, the Cameroon National Council of Traditional Rulers would be a welcomed . Efik populations are found in the following regions: Secret societies aided in the maintaining of law and order at Old Calabar. [15] Ekereke and Ekereke further assert that the word was later changed to "Efik". To cast light on African perspectives, and on the point of view of enslaved men and women, this group of top Africanist scholars has examined both conventional historical sources (e.g., European. [12] Due to the support of the missionaries, the Efik language became the language of religion. Jeffreys also stated, "There is reason to believe that a considerable portion of a small Ibibio clan called Ebrutu or Eburutu was the earliest stock of the Efik; for, when the missionaries settled in 1846 at Old Calabar amongst these people for the first time, it was found that they called themselves not Efik but Ebrutu or Ebrutu Efik. Animals such as goats, chicken and dogs are consumed in Efik cuisine. Read More mask The Internet has shone light on manysecret societies, rendering them not so secret. During weddings, the bride wears at least two different nyny. Some other clothings introduced into the market include smit, brutanya, isadh and nkisi. Free masons were originally an ancient Egyptian fraternity of builders, with Imhotep, as their founder and chief sculptor. [77] Women wore a number of brass rings on their legs and arms. [32] Aye argues that the Efik could not have taken the royal emblem of the Uruan people as they would have already had their own royal emblem. Ekpe means leopard, not lion. These secret societies were used to uphold the legal decisions of the Council of Elders or of the community as a whole, they also ensured conformity in certain rituals and in social behaviour and undertook certain public works for the community (n.d.). Aye and Eyo Okon Akak. Another theory narrated by Chief Efiom Obo Effanga of Obutong asserts that Antia Ekot Otong founded Obutong. [76] Uffp (native gin) is distilled from palm wine and is sometimes mixed with the bark of Edat to increase the alcoholic content. Collection of Eli Bentor. by Web Services Editor. [33][35] The Efik came to her defence and the dispute escalataed[34] Legend has it that this was the last straw that led to the Uruan-Efik war (known in Efik as Ek Abasi-Anwan) which led to the exit of the Efik from the Uruan country. While some explorers describe the Efik as travellers who past through the Ibibio country, others assert that the Efik are of Ibibio stock. In its vastness, the Ekpe is a well structured society with semi-caste characteristics, in that, there are categories and titles which one may qualify to be initiated into, while others are strictly reserved for persons of certain status and backgrounds. The story of The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, takes place in _________________ (name of present-day country) in the mid 1800's. The cloth is made of plain cotton but transformed into a ritual object when nsibidi symbols are inscribed onto it through indigo dyeing. [40] The article was a not-so-deep exploration of indigenous African writing systems and languages. an extraordinarily powerful woman, who can change herself into a buffalo, the proud oldest daughter of a king, who insists on being respected, enraged by her brother's refusal to give her the inheritance she feels she is owed, guilt-ridden for having killed many of her brother's people, and for having pushed her youngest sister too hard and too This is evident in a testimony by Isaac Parker, a ship-keeper who lived at Duke town in 1765 for 5 months. [47] At the time of their exit from Creek town, the reigning monarch of Creek town was their half brother Oku Atai Atai Ema Atai. Original African systems of recording information in symbols include the Nsibidi script, of the Ekpe society of the Ejagham of Cameroon and Nigeria. Right now, Ekpe . [76], Prior to the introduction of European-styled clothing, the Efik wore loin clothes made of Raffia (Efik: Ndam). [77] The fibre of the leaf-stalk of a palm was made into a thread and woven to make clothes and bags. One theory propounded by Okon and Nkpanam Ekereke asserts that the term "Efuk" was a word of defiance and an expression used by the Ibibio man when in a fit of rage. I am manyang Mathilda Nkwo of Akiriba village , upperbanyang and I am and still is oneof the oldest living practing manyangero in Manyu. [59] Ekpe is first mentioned in the historical literature of Old Calabar in the 1770s. Ekpe Society Emblem, Ejaham, Cameroon Dog Fetish, Vili, Congo Mlbuya (sickness) mask, Pende, Zaire Nimba Mask, Baga, Guinea Picasso Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907 Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907 (detail) Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907 (detail) Bust of a Woman, 1931 Tte de taureau (Bull's Head), 1942 La chvre (The goat) 1950 Other references I am a young researcher who have a great love for forest conservation, community . The society is now seen as a fraternity along the masonic lines which tries to represent the interest of Efiks. The practice and display of Ekpe masquerade have been modified. [36] It is also used by the Igbo and Efik. [32] At night when everyone had gone to sleep, the men from Uruan rose up and began to slaughter their hosts. The process of creating this richly symbolic cloth is laborious. Originally, the Efik obtained slaves by going to war with other communities or creating confusion in other communities. I Am Niki Buroro Agbor Ekpe Jerome a holder of a professional Masters in Forestry and wildlife Engineering with focus on Protected Area Management, Masters of Science in Forest Governance and policies from University of Dschang and Professional Masters in Environmental Science (ESIA) university of Yaounde 1. [72] The group believes that when they eat human flesh, they gain the ability to transform into a crocodile. (a) What are the Clowns trying to accomplish in this scene? The Ekpe is a men's society found in Abiriba, Aro-chukwu, Ohafia and many other Bende communities in Igbo land, it is a variation of the important Egbo Ejagham ( Ekoi) in the Upper Cross-River as well as the Efik Ekpe Society of Calabar. . An account from the Qua said the origin of the Ekpe people can be traced to Cameron. They are well respected agents of wealth distribution in the community. The masquerade tradition itself is most popular in Calabar and the Oron nation of Udung-Ukko, Mbo, Urue-Offong Oruko, Okobo, as well as the Eket and Uruan local government areas in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, and even western Cameroon. Additional Touches